Knock-off device

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates generally to equipment for subjecting fabric in rope or strand form to a liquid treatment, wherein a rotating helical guide is employed as part of a motor driven transport system to carry the fabric through a bath of treatment liquid while maintaining the fabric in a helical arrangement of spaced convolutions. The disclosure embraces a knock-off device for protecting the helical guide from damage that might otherwise be caused by knots, tangles or tautness in the fabric. The knockoff device preferably includes a pair of laterally spaced elongated guide members between which the fabric is passed before passing over the helical guide. A knot, tangle, or tautness in the fabric will cause one of the guide members to be pivotally displaced. A switch is actuated in response to pivotal displacement of said one guide member to interrupt operation of the motor driven transport system until such time as the knot, tangle or tautness has been eliminated.

[ Sept. 11, 1.973

[57] ABSTRACT This disclosure relates generally to equipment for subjecting fabric in rope or strand form to a liquid treatment, wherein a rotating helical guide is employed as part of a motor driven transport system to carry the fabric through a bath of treatment liquid while maintaining the fabric in a helical arrangement of spaced convolutions. The disclosure embraces a knock-off device for protecting the helical guide from damage that KNOCK-OFF DEVICE Inventor: John Orlick,

Assignee:

Filed: June 12, 1972 App]. No.: 261,981

iinited States Patent Orlick tangle, or tautness in the fab- 6 66 7 "07 WW /5l5 WW 81 ,1 66 6 6 b "u u n WG mm s W I m0m N n/ I Mm E mm 6 m m mm m "(0 t t MOW G m Fe m D m s S a m I k a V. .w u cT eh m m n mAfloa .m m U n TTEe u .mSZB i m h 0 WV. c D e ..r E0 l u a 77 m m & mm m r N// v lo UUQ, m d m l m m 3 M I mm 1]] 1 54 r H18 6 w w mm HUB. U 3 3 PA Patented Sept. 11, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Sept. 11, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Sept. 11, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 KNOCK-OFF DEVICE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to apparatus for subjecting fabric in strand or rope-form to a liquid treatment wherein the fabric is moved through a bath of processing liquid by a transport system which includes a rotating helical guide. The invention is particularly concerned with an improved knock-off device for protecting the helical guide from damage that might otherwise be occasioned by knots, snarls and/or tautness in the fabric rope.

In the textile liquid treatment art, the use of a transport system which includes a rotating helical guide for arranging a fabric rope in a helical pattern of spaced convolutions is now well known. One such transport system is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,308,639. Although such fabric transport systems operate satisfactorily under ideal conditions, problems have been encountered as a result. of the development of snags, tangles and/or tautness in the fabric being processed. More particularly, it has been found that snags, tangles and/or tautness in the fabric tend to distort and damage the helical guide. When this occurs, the apparatus must be shut down, the fabric must then be manually removed, and thereafter the helical guide must be either repaired or replaced. The resulting losses in production time and spoiled fabric are significant, as are the costs of repairing or replacing the helical guide.

In an attempt at avoiding the above-mentioned problems, it has heretofore been proposed to provide knock-off devices for sensing snarls or tangles and for interrupting the operation of the transport system before the helical guide member is damaged. These devices have not, however, proved satisfactory because the snarls or tangles are not detected at a location sufficiently in advance of the helical guide, and also because these prior art devices do not have the capability of sensing tautness in the fabric.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved knock-off device for obviating the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages. A more specific object of the present invention is the provision of an improved knock-off device for detecting knots or snarls in the fabric rope at a location well in advance of the helical guide, thus effectively safeguarding the helical guide against distortion and damage. Another object of the present invention is the provision of a knock-off device for protecting the helical guide of a fabric rope transport system from damage which might otherwise be occasioned by fabric tautness as well as by snarls and tangles. A further object of the present invention is the provision ofa knockoff device which is adjustable to accommodate a wide range of sizes of ropes or strands.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds with the aid of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a sectional view taken through a liquid treatment apparatus which includes a preferred embodiment of a knock-off device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective view of the fabric rope transport system and knock-off device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another view in perspective showing the arrangement of components making up the knock-off devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 4A-4C are views depicting the knock-off device of the present invention under various operating conditions;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along lines 55 of FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram showing one way in which the knock-off device may be connected to the drive motor of the fabric transport system.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numbers designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a liquid treatment apparatus generally indicated at 10. The apparatus may be employed in the performance of a number of processes, including for example the dyeing, scouring and washing of continuous fabric strands or ropes. The apparatus includes an exterior shell 12 which may if desired be cylindrical, as shown. The ends of the shell are closed by end plates, one of which is shown in FIG. 1 at 14. The shell may be provided with suitable support legs 16, and a front opening 18 which is closed by a door 20. The door is arranged to run along suitable guides 22 and may be moved between the closed position as shown in FIG. 1 and an open position underlying the upper portion of the shell, the said movement being occasioned by any convenient means such as for example a cable 24 connected to a conventional remotely positioned operating mechanism (not shown).

When in the operating condition, the apparatus contains a bath 26 of processing liquid. Although not shown, it will be understoodthat the apparatus includes conventional means for introducing the processing liquid into the treatment chamber 28, as well as means for adding chemicals such as dyes, means for heating and- /or cooling the processing liquid, and means for draining and flushing the apparatus after a process cycle has been completed.

Referring additionally to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the apparatus 10 also includes a transport system generally indicated at 30. The transport system is mainly located in the upper part of the apparatus in a position overlying the bath 26 or processing liquid. The transport system includes a main reel 32, a front roll 34, a helical guide 36 and a chain 38 supported on a plurality of sprockets indicated typically at 40. As herein depicted, the helical guide is comprised of a central shaft 360 which extends axially through a spiral element 36b, the latter being supported on shaft 36a by a plurality of radially extending support rods 36c. Although not shown, it will be understood that the reel 32, roll 34 and helical guide 36 are each joumalled between bearings supported by the end plates 14 for rotation about parallel axis. It will be further understood that the reel 32, roll 34, helical guide 36 and chain 38 are all driven in the directions diagrammatically indicated in the drawings by means of a common motor-driven drive arrangement located on the exterior side of one of the end plates 14. Only the motor which drives the transport system is depicted schematically at 42 in FIG. 6.

The transport system 30 operates as follows: when initially loading the apparatus 10, the leading'end of a fabric rope 44 is attached to a carrier eye 46 on the chain 38. There after, motor 42 is energized to move the chain 38 and to rotate the reel 32, roll 34 and helical guide 36. The leading end of the fabric rope is thus caused to repeatedly travel an oribital path following the carrier eye 46, and the rotating helical guide 36 causes the fabric to be arranged in a series of convolutions 44a which are laterally spaced along the reel 32 and roll 34. This continues until the entire rope length has been loaded into the apparatus. Thereafter, the he lical distribution of spaced convolutions 44a continues to rotate through the bath of processing liquid 26 until the process cycle has been completed. Removal of the fabric rope is accomplished by disconnecting the lead ing end from the carrier eye 46 and thereafter pulling the fabric out of the apparatus as operation of the transport system 30 continues. The generally oval arrangement of the ribs 50 on the reel 32 produces an overlapping distribution of the fabric rope along the bottom of the treatment chamber as indicated at 52.

The above-described apparatus and its mode of operation is well known to those skilled in the art. The present invention, which comprises the novel and improved knock-off device indicated generally at 54 in FIGS. 1-3, and which has as its prime objective the protection of helical guide 36 from damage which might otherwise be occasioned by knots, snarls and/or tautness in the fabric rope 44, will now be described with additional reference to the remaining drawings.

The knock-off device 54 preferably includes an elongated rub bar 56 positioned beneath the helical guide 36 on one side of the path P" (See FIG. travelled by the fabric rope convolutions 44a as they emerge vertically from the liquid bath 26. The rub bar 56 is provided at its ends with brackets 58, each of which has slots 60 therein. The slots accommodate bolts 62 which secure the brackets to the end plates 14 of the apparatus 10. The arrangement of the bolts 62 and solts 60 permits lateral adjustment of the brackets 58 and rub bar 56 relative to the path P.

An elongated lead bar 64 is located on the other side of path P. The lead bar 64 is laterally spaced from and parallel to the rub bar 56. The lead bar 64 is connected to a shaft 66 by means of intermediate arms 68 and 70. The arms 68 depend vertically from shaft 66, and the arms 68 and 70 form an angle therebetween which is somewhat less than 90. As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the arms 68 are also disposed angularly inwardly towards the center of the apparatus. The inward and upward angular arrangement of the arms 68 facilitate the guiding of the fabric rope between the bars 56 and 64. The shaft 66 is joumalled for rotation in bearings (not shown) which are supported by the end plates 14 of the apparatus. Preferably, the ends ofthe shaft 66 protrude through the end plates 14.

It will be understood that although it is preferable to use the rub bar 56 as one of the guide members, this construction is not absolutely essential. For example, where space limitations so dictate, the inside front wall of the shell 12 may serve in place of a rub bar as one of the guide members.

A mercury switch 72 is mounted on one end of the shaft 66. The switch 72 has a flexible lead 74 which accommodates rotation of the shaft. Shaft 66 is further provided with a laterally extending finger 76 which is arranged to engage a pin 78 protruding from one of the end plates 14. An arm 80 is mounted on shaft 66 on the exterior of one of the end plates 14. The arm 80 supports a counterweight 82 which is attached thereto by bolts 84. The counterweight 82 exerts a clockwise torque on the shaft 66, which under normal operating conditions maintains the finger 76 in contact with pin 78, as shown in FIGS. l-4A. The torque exerted by counterweight 82 may be varied by adjusting the posi tion of the counterweight along arm 80, and also by adjusting the angle of arm in relation to finger 70. This latter adjustment is made possible through a set screw 86 on collar 88.

FIG. 6 illustrates typical circuit for connecting the mercury switch '72 to the motor 42. The circuit includes a normally closed switch 90, a normally open switch 92, and a relay 94. Motor 42 is energized by pushing switch 92 to close relay 94. The motor 42 will remain energized until either the shaft 66 is rotated to open mercury switch 72, or until switch 90 is manually opened.

The operation of the knock-off device 54 under various conditions will now be described with additional reference to FIGS. 4A-4C. In FIG. 4A, the apparatus is shown operating under ideal conditions without knots, snarls or tautness in the fabric. Under such con ditions, the fabric convolutions pass smoothly between the rub bar 56 and the lead bar 64. Switch 72 remains closed due to the torque being exerted by the counterweight 82 which in turn maintains the finger 76 against the pin 78.

FIG. 48 illustrates a condition wherein a knot or snarl 96 becomes temporarily lodged in the gap between the rub bar 56 and the lead bar 64. When this occurs, the knot 96 exerts an upward force on the lead bar 64. This upward force acts through the arms 68 and 70 to overcome the torque being exerted by the counterweight 82. As a result, the shaft 66 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, and this rotation causes the mercury switch 72 to open. The motor 42 is thus de-energized and the transport system 30 is immediately rendered inoperative. When the mercury switch 72 opens, relay 94 is also opened.

By promptly de-energizing motor 42 as soon as the snag is presented at the gap between rub bar 56 and the lead bar 64, the overlying helical guide 36 is protected from distortion or damage. Operating personnel are thus afforded ample opportunity to clear the snag 96. Once this has been accomplished, the torque exerted by counterweight 82 returns the lead bar 64 to the position shown in FIG. 4A, and this in turn closes switch 72. Thereafter, switch 92 is again manually closed to reenergize motor 42.

FIG. 4C illustrates another condition wherein one of the fabric convolutions 44a develops a high degree of tautness due to a snag or other malfunction in another portion of the apparatus. When this occurs, the fabric exerts a lifting force on the lead bar 54 which again causes the shaft 66 to rotate, thereby opening switch 72. This particular effect is made possible by the fact that the axis of pivotal shaft 66 is located behind the lead bar 64, that is to say within the convolutions 440.

From the foregoing, it can now be appreciated that the knock-off device of the present invention offers a number of significant advantages over known prior art devices. Among these advantages is the ability to automatically deactivate the transport system 30 as soon as a knot or snag presents itself at the gap defined between the rub bar 56 and lead bar 64. Since these bars are located beneath the helical guide 36, damage to the guide is effectively prevented. Moreover, due to the location of the lead bar 64 within the fabric convolutions 44a and further due to the location of pivotal shaft 66,

the device is also responsive to fabric tautness. This provides still another important safety feature which is beyond the capability of known prior art devices.

The adjustability of the position of rub bar 56 relative to the lead bar 54, and the adjustability of the counterweight 82, enables the knock-off device to operate effcctively even though the bulk of the fabrics being handled may vary over a wide range. Finally, the upward and inward angular disposition of the arms 70 assists the initial guiding of the fabric between the bars 56 and 64.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it will be understood that variations in the described embodiment will become apparent to those skilled in this art. Also, certain modifications or additions can be made to the described structure and all apparent variations and modifications are intended to be included in the scope of this invention.

1 claim:

1. For use with an apparatus for subjecting fabric in rope form to a liquid treatment, wherein a motordriven transport system is employed to carry the fabric in a series of spaced convolutions through an underlying bath of processing liquid, and wherein the transport system includes a rotating helical guide over which the fabric is passed in order to initially create and thereafter maintain the spacing between each convolution, an apparatus for protecting the helical guide against damage which might otherwise be caused by problem conditions, for example knots, tangles or tautness in the fabric, said apparatus comprising: a first guide member located beneath and generally parallel to the rotational axis of the helical guide, said first guide member extending along one side of a path travelled by the fabric emerging vertically from the liquid bath, a second elongated guide member spaced laterally from said first guide member on the opposite side of said path, said second guide member being pivotally mounted for movement about an axis which is located on the said opposite side of said path, the arrangement of said first and second guide members being such that a problem condition in the fabric will cause said second guide member to be pivoted upwardly about said axis, and switch means responsive to upward pivotal movement of said second guide member for interrupting operation of the transport system.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein both said second guide member and said axis are located on the inside of the fabric convolutions, and wherein the first guide member is located on the outside of the fabric convolutions.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first guide member is adjustably mounted for movement laterally relative to said first guide member.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further characterized by a rotatable shaft extending along said axis, and intermediate means providing a connection between said shaft and said second guide member, said intermediate means being comprised of first arm members extending downwardly from said shaft with the lower ends of said first arm members located in a horizontal plane below that of said second guide member, and second arm members extending from the lower ends of said first arm members to said second guide member, the angle formed between said first and second arm members being less than 5; The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further characterized by adjustable means for varying the resistance of said second guide member to upward pivotal movement about said axis.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claims wherein said second arm members are disposed angularly inwardly towards the center of the apparatus.

UNITED was PATENT OFFICE CERTIFECATE OF CQRRECTION Patent No. 3, 757,547 Dated September ll, 1973 Inventor(s) John liCk It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 1, line 66, delete "View" (2nd occurrence) Col. 2, line 44, delete "or" and insert therefor --of-;

Col. 3, line 34, delete "solts" and insert therefor slots--; Col. 4, line 8, after "illustrates" insert -a-;

Col. 6, line 10, delete "claim 2" and insert therefor -claim 1-- Col. 6, line 16, delete "claim 2" and insert therefor claim l-; Col. 6, line 18, delete "claim 3" and insert therefor ---claim 2; Col. 6, line 31, delete "claim 2" and insert therefor -claim l; Col. 6, line 35, delete "claim 5" and insert therefor --claim 4.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of April 197a (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD I 'I.,l LETCHER,JH. C o MARSHALL DANN Attesting; Officer Commissioner of Patents ORM PO-105O (IO-69) USCOMM-DC GOING-P69 v v.5. covummzrn murmur. ornc: mes 0-360-334 

1. For use with an apparatus for subjecting fabric in rope form to a liquid treatment, wherein a motor-driven transport system is employed to carry the fabric in a series of spaced convolutions through an underlying bath of processing liquid, and wherein the transport system includes a rotating helical guide over which the fabric is passed in order to initially create and thereafter maintain the spacing between each convolution, an apparatus for protecting the helical guide against damage which might otherwise be caused by problem conditions, for example knots, tangles or tautness in the fabric, said apparatus comprising: a first guide member located beneath and generally parallel to the rotational axis of the helical guide, said first guide member extending along one side of a path travelled by the fabric emerging vertically from the liquid bath, a second elongated guide member spaced laterally from said first guide member on the opposite side of said path, said second guide member being pivotally mounted for movement about an axis which is located on the said opposite side of said path, the arrangement of said first and second guide members being such that a problem condition in the fabric will cause said second guide member to be pivoted upwardly about said axis, and switch means responsive to upward pivotal movement of said second guide member for interrupting operation of the transport system.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein both said second guide member and said axis are located on the inside of the fabric convolutions, and wherein the first guide member is located on the outside of the fabric convolutions.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first guide member is adjustably mounted for movement laterally relative to said first guide member.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further characterized by a rotatable shaft extending along said axis, and intermediate means providing a connection between said shaft and said second guide member, said intermediate means being comprised of first arm members extending downwardly from said shaft with the lower ends of said first arm members located in a horizontal plane below that of said second guide member, and second arm members extending from the lower ends of said first arm members to said second guide member, the angle formed between said first and second arm members being less than 90*.
 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further characterized by adjustable means for varying the resistance of said second guide member to upward pivotal movement about said axis.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said second arm members are disposed angularly inwardly towards the center of the apparatus. 